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Press release: 5 October 2005

Cricket star Ronnie Irani to open state-of-the-art x-ray facilities

Ronnie Irani cuts the ribbon with Ann Newnham, Senior Radiographer (left)
and Liz Hunt, Radiology Directorate Manager (right)

Ronnie Irani, Essex County cricket captain, visited Saffron Walden Community Hospital on Monday 10 October 2005 to officially open their state-of-the-art radiology (x-ray and ultrasound) facilities, run by Addenbrooke's Hospital. The facility is bringing x-ray services for patients in Saffron Walden right up-to-date using the very latest technology.

The joint venture between Addenbrooke's Hospital and Uttlesford PCT, costing £500,000, allows x-rays and ultrasound scans to be taken at the Saffron Walden hospital and sent electronically to radiologists at Addenbrooke's, who then make a diagnosis, and send the results back 'down the wire' to Saffron Walden. Patients can then receive the results from their GPs within two or three days, when previously they might have had to wait for up to two weeks.

Ronnie Irani with staff who work in the facility

Sallie Mills-Lewis, Director of Commissioning and Planning for Uttlesford PCT said: "This is very much about being a local service for the local population. We are delighted to be able to offer an improved, high-tech service for our patients, using the expertise of a large teaching hospital while keeping a community feel to the department."

Liz Hunt, Addenbrooke's Radiology Directorate Manager, added: "The new service is great news for us and great news for patients. We are able to see more patients in the community setting at their convenience, using equipment which has been designed around their needs. The cutting-edge technology produces very high quality diagnostic images, which can be reviewed quickly so that emergencies can be dealt with straightaway and GPs can treat patients really quickly."

The improved facilities have been open since June 2005, and have already seen 2,413 patients through its doors.

For further press/media information contact: PR & Communications Department, Box 53, Addenbrooke's Hospital, Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Hills Road, Cambridge CB2 2QQ; Tel: 01223 274 433; Fax: 01223 257 143; Minicom: 01223 274 604.